Monday, March 12, 2012

"Leading international human rights organization Amnesty International has lashed out at Egypt’s military junta over the acquittal of a doctor in the forced “virginity tests” court battle that ended on Sunday in Cairo.

The rights group echoed sentiments across social-networking sites on Sunday, saying the acquittal is “yet further proof that military courts are incapable of dealing with cases involving human rights abuses.”

The case surrounded Samira Ibrahim, 25, who was one of a number of women who were forced to strip in front of soldiers and have “virginity tests” performed on them after they were arrested in downtown Cairo last March.

“Once again, the Egyptian military have failed women, particularly those like Samira Ibrahim, who have shown tremendous courage in challenging the military establishment in Egypt,” said Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui, Deputy Middle East and North Africa Director at Amnesty International.

“This decision is not only a travesty of justice but further proof that cases of human rights abuses by the military should be dealt with in civilian courts,” Sahraoui added....."